Laparoscopic repair of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia

The standard treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is by open operation. We have successfully performed a laparoscopic repair in an asymptomatic 2-year-old child. We recommend this as a safe alternative treatment modality in diaphragmatic hernias presenting past infancy. The role of laparoscopic correction in the newborn period, however, remains to be determined.